Nongpoh, November 13: The ICAR Research Complex for the North Eastern Hill Region, Umiam, on Thursday celebrated Tribal Pride Day (Janjatiya Gaurav Divas) to honour Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the legendary tribal freedom fighter.
The celebration was held at ICAR Umiam, with Mawlai MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang attending as the chief guest and KHADC Nominated MDC Mathew Makdoh as the guest of honour.
The programme was also attended by ICAR Umiam Director Dr. G. Kadirvel, FKJGP president Dundee Khongsit, RBYF president Bipul Thangkhiew, Jaintia Students’ Union vice-president S. Lymba, along with other dignitaries and representatives of various organisations.
The celebration was not only aimed at paying tribute to the sacrifices of Birsa Munda but also at highlighting the importance of preserving indigenous customs, traditions and cultural identity, while promoting the overall development and empowerment of tribal communities across the country.
Addressing the gathering, Marbaniang urged everyone to remember the sacrifices of freedom fighters and draw inspiration from their courage and values. Referring to the famous inscription at the Kohima War Memorial, “For your tomorrow, we gave our today,” he reminded the gathering of the sacrifices made by earlier generations for a better future.
He also appreciated ICAR’s efforts in supporting farmers and encouraged them to maintain close ties with scientists and adopt improved farming practices to enhance agricultural production and income.
Meanwhile, Dr. G. Kadirvel highlighted the importance of protecting the region’s culture, traditions and indigenous knowledge. He observed that farmers themselves possess the potential to develop innovative ideas and contribute to agricultural progress.
He encouraged young people to acquire new skills and take an active interest in agriculture. He also urged farmers to make effective use of government schemes such as PM-KISAN, PMFBY and PM-KUSUM to strengthen their livelihoods.
A major highlight of the celebration was the recognition of tribal farmers and entrepreneurs for their outstanding contributions. Persara Dohling received the Best Tribal Woman Farmer Award, Reena Nongrum was honoured with the Best Tribal Entrepreneur Award, while Precious John Madur received the Best Tribal Farmer Award.
Farmers were also distributed Rabi vegetable seeds as agricultural inputs.
The celebration served as a reminder of the courage and sacrifices of tribal freedom fighters and the importance of preserving the region’s rich cultural heritage and indigenous knowledge. It also emphasised the need to integrate scientific innovations with traditional wisdom and farming practices to create better livelihood opportunities and promote sustainable agricultural development in the North Eastern Hill Region.
